Promises Kept

Promises Kept

2 Corinthians 1: ¹⁵ I was so sure of all this that I made plans at first to visit you, in order that you might be blessed twice. ¹⁶ For I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and again on my way back, in order to get help from you for my trip to Judea. ¹⁷ In planning this, did I appear fickle? When I make my plans, do I make them from selfish motives, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? ¹⁸ As surely as God speaks the truth, my promise to you was not a “Yes” and a “No.” ¹⁹ For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was preached among you by Silas, Timothy, and myself, is not one who is “Yes” and “No.” On the contrary, he is God's “Yes”; ²⁰ for it is he who is the “Yes” to all of God's promises. This is why through Jesus Christ our “Amen” is said to the glory of God.

 

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“I will call you” and “I will pray for you” and “I will be there on time” are words I threw around with well-meaning intent. But sometimes, life got in the way of me keeping those words. My reliability was not quite where it needed to be.

 

• I was saying “Yes” and “No” at the same time.
• I was not dependable with something valuable and important.
• I was fickle.

 

Paul was so sure that the people he wrote to had an amazing relationship with JESUS, that he planned to visit them twice. Once on his way to Macedonia and again on the way back. He then explains the importance of keeping promises. He explains that JESUS “is” the one and only “Yes” to all of GOD’s promises.

 

My Observations

• GOD has already kept HIS promises HE made for me.
• GOD gave me eternal life and has solidified it with a promise through JESUS CHRIST.
• GOD said “Yes” to me by giving me HIS SON as a special gift, just for me.

 

Making plans is only as good as the ability to keep the plan. I mean, I can say “I plan to” all day long, BUY GOD is the only one who can say “I will” and mean it. Nothing can stop GOD’s plan and the promises HE made to all humans has already been kept.

 

HE promised to save humanity and HE already did this. There is nothing left for HIM to do. We can focus our attention on praising HIM, even when we cannot keep our small promises. I am grateful GOD is faithful and has kept ALL of HIS promises for me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer appear sensitive about keeping promises?
• How do you feel when someone does not keep their promise to you?
• Can you praise GOD for always keeping HIS promises and for HIS relationship with you that is loving and pursuing towards you today?

Permanent Love

 

Permanent Love

Romans 8: ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

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Collecting frequent traveler points was the norm for me. I stayed in a specific chain, gathering enough points to one day take my family on a lavish vacation. When hard times hit, I spent a long period not traveling. When I looked into the points, the hotel chain said, “You haven’t traveled in a while so you lost all your points.”

 

• There have been times when I felt I would be cast out if I did not do the right things.
• There have been times when I felt I would lose everything if I did not follow the rules of those who were holding me hostage.
• There have been times when I felt so full of fear, that I made excuses for not speaking about the only ONE who truly loved me.

 

Paul says “We are more than conquerors.” Bullies, thieves, liars and those who try to harm others cannot separate us from the love of JESUS. He speaks about permanent love.

 

• GOD wants me to know HIS love for me is permanent.
• GOD wants me to understand that nothing can separate me from the love of JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be convinced that all problems caused by humans, demons or powers are temporary but the LOVE of JESUS is eternal.

 

“Problem free” is the lie told by Satan. I mean, the expectation that life would be one long vacation on earth is a false expectation that is placed in front of humans to try to separate them from the love of GOD. Temptation after temptation are placed in front of all humans to get us to turn away from GOD. Who can save us? JESUS!

 

Only JESUS can open my eyes to see HE has the situation under control. Once HE has given me a purpose, that purpose cannot be stopped. It may look impossible, BUT GOD steps in and handles everything for me. I am grateful JESUS loves me so much that even my sin cannot separate me from HIM.

 

• Have you been dumped?
• Do you feel cast out and dejected by circumstances out of your control?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS permanent love for you today by believing in JESUS, who loves you dearly?

Great Report

Great Report

Acts 4: ²³ And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

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Excited that I got a good grade in a class, I ran back to tell everyone! I ran up the steps to my floor and ran down the hall. Not watching my footing, I slipped and fell hard with my arm extended as if I were going to catch a ball. Nothing was broken, I had to wear a sling for a few weeks. When people asked me what happened, I told them about my good grade!

• When something good happens I want to tell everyone.
• When something good happens I want to shout about it.
• When something good happens I want to raise my voice no matter who is around.

Great things were happening to the growing group who followed JESUS. Peter and John came back from being threatened by the church leaders and told the crowd what happened. When everyone heard, they screamed and shouted with praise!

• GOD wants me to mention the great things HE has done in my life.
• GOD wants me to be excited about what HE is doing right now in my life.
• GOD wants me to focus on what HE is doing so I can give a great report to someone who needs to hear it.

GOD spoke through David saying “Why did the rulers of the earth stand against our LORD?” I mean even death could not hold HIM. This is great news to share with those who can hear it. GOD wants me to mention salvation in the face of death and destruction.

Mentioning a great report uplifts those who are down. Unfortunately many conversations are not about JESUS or HIS salvation. Each negative word mentioned is a step further away from HIM. Soon the speaker cannot hear or even mention HIS true name. BUT GOD is the remedy. HE provides a way back to HIM by HIS grace. I am grateful HE accepts me back. HE is great!

• What words are you prominently speaking?
• Do you speak great news or negative news in difficult times?
• Will you turn to GOD and allow HIM to fill you with great news that is overflowing from your heart so you cannot help but to tell everyone today?